Financial Analyst

Salary : $86,632.00 - $140,608.00 Annually
Location : St. Louis Park, MN
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2025-00019
Division: Metro Transit
Department: Transit System Dev - SWLRT
Opening Date: 03/11/2025
Closing Date: 3/25/2025 11:59 PM Central

WHO WE ARE
We are the Metropolitan Council, the regional government for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. We plan 30 years ahead for the future of the metropolitan area and provide regional transportation, wastewater, and housing services.

We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Metro Transit is one of the country's largest transit systems, employs more than 3,000 people, and provides ridership through an integrated network of buses, light rail and commuter trains, as well as resources for those who carpool, vanpool, walk, or bike in the Twin Cities. Metro Transit's Capital Programs is responsible for the construction and delivery of capital projects including Light Rail, Bus Rapid Transit, and Arterial Bus Rapid Transit.

How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region: The Financial Analyst performs fund accounting and financial management functions. The fundamental reason this classification exists is to cost our Service Plan and support the preparation and administration of the Metro Transit's annual operating and capital budgets. The responsibilities include producing regular and ad-hoc financial reports and ensuring compliance with accounting standards.

This position is eligible for a hybrid (both remote and onsite) telework arrangement. The candidate's permanent residence must be in Minnesota or Wisconsin.

What you would do in this job

• Prepare reliable and timely financial information
• Prepare account reconciliations
• Analyze general ledger, balance sheets, and income statement accounts
• Prepare financial analysis for customers with varying degrees of financial understanding
• Respond to Federal and State Audit questions accordingly
• Maintain account code data within relevant systems including PeopleSoft (Financial and HRMS), TxBase, E-Builder, and WAM; will be responsible for synchronizing all sub-systems and departments with the general ledger to insure accurate financial reporting
• Monitor and/or implement accounting procedures according to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), National Transit Database (NTD), Council's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) standards
• Monitor and review capital project authority, spending, and reconcile revenues and expenses per projects funding sources
• Train other staff within the division in proper account coding
• Provide Nvision Report solutions and report development within the PeopleSoft financial system
• Support department managers and collaborate with project managers, this role plays a vital part in helping managers interpret and understand their reports on a daily basis
• Sit on RFP panels; Accounting is heavily involved in the larger RFPs for Metro Transit as well as some of the Metropolitan Council proposals
• Monitor journal entries to properly account for Council activities
• Ad-hoc reporting and internal controls related to the timeliness and accuracy of financial reporting
• Identify system modifications for improved financial controls, evaluate programs effectiveness, and recommend changes
• Other duties assigned or apparent

What education and experience are required for this job (minimum qualifications)

Any of the following combinations of experience in an accounting or finance environment including the development and use of financial or budgeting systems and completed education in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or closely related field:

• High school diploma/GED with eight (8) years of experience
• Associate degree with six (6) years of experience
• Bachelor's degree or higher with four (4) years of experience

What additional skills and experience would be helpful in this job (desired qualifications):

• Practical experience using a financial system like PeopleSoft
• Practical experience with E-Builder, a construction/project management software program
• Experience delivering financial information to coworkers, division program staff, managers, and state/federal agencies
• Experience in accounting practices including problem solving skills to identify and reconcile account balances using reports, queries, spreadsheets, and available tools and information
• Intermediate computer skills in word processing, spreadsheets, graphic presentations, and database management (Word, Excel, and Access)

What knowledge, skills, and abilities you should have within the first six months on the job:

• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), procurement concepts, and financial analysis
• Knowledge of state laws regarding governmental accounting, budgeting, and financial reporting
• Knowledge of governmental and fund accounting
• Knowledge of financial systems (prefer PeopleSoft)
• Working knowledge of purchasing systems
• Analytical, reasonableness, and practicality skills to identify issues and determine cause/effect
• Mathematical skills sufficient to perform calculations of ratios, identify and reconcile variances, and allocate balances across several accounts
• Ability to develop best practice business process
• Ability to read and interpret financial standards, laws, regulations, and reporting requirements
• Ability to write reports and financial analyst
• Ability to effectively work in a team structure and collaborate with team members and other teams
• Ability to promote an equitable, positive, and respectful work environment that values diversity among all employees

What you can expect from us:

• We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
• We encourage our employees to develop their skills through on-site training and tuition reimbursement.
• We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits and a good work/life balance.

Additional information

Union(s): Non-Represented Grade H
FLSA Status: Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No

What your work environment would be:
You would perform your work in a standard office setting. Work may sometimes require travel between your primary work site and other sites.

What steps the recruitment process involves:

1. We review your minimum qualifications.
2. We request your Work Record Evaluation (ATU employees only).
3. We rate your education and experience.
4. We conduct a structured panel interview.
5. We conduct a selection interview.

Once you have successfully completed the steps above, then:

If you are new to the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test (safety sensitive positions only), and a background check which verifies education, employment, and criminal history. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the job. If you have a criminal conviction, you do not automatically fail. The Metropolitan Council considers felony, gross misdemeanor, and misdemeanor convictions on a case-by-case basis, based on whether they are related to the job and whether the candidate has demonstrated adequate rehabilitation.

If you are already an employee of the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test (if moving from a non-safety sensitive position to a safety sensitive position) and criminal background check if the job you're applying for is safety sensitive, is a supervisory or management job, is in the Finance, Information Services, Audit, or Human Resources departments, or has access to financial records, files/databases, cash, vouchers, or transit fare cards. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the position.

IMPORTANT: If you make a false statement or withhold information, you may be barred from job consideration.

The Metropolitan Council is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and veteran-friendly employer. The Council is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the region and strongly encourages persons of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply.

If you have a disability that requires an accommodation during the selection process, please email
We believe our employees are a key to our agency's success In order to attract and retain high quality employees, the Council provides a highly competitive benefits package both in choice and coverage levels. Some highlights about our benefits are listed below:

• Guaranteed monthly retirement income through Minnesota State Retirement System pension fund
• Opportunity to save additional funds for retirement on a tax-deferred basis through a voluntary deferred compensation (457) plan
• Two or more medical plans from which to choose, with employer contribution towards premiums over 80%
• Dental insurance, life insurance and vision insurance

The following benefits are provided to all employees as part of working for the Council. You will have access to free:

• Well@Work clinic
• bus/rail pass valued at over $1200 per year
• parking at many job locations
• fitness centers at many job locations
• Employee Assistance Program
• extensive health and wellness programs and resources

01

Applicant Instructions: The supplemental questions listed below are to further evaluate your education and experience and to determine your eligibility for this position. Answer each question completely, and please do not type "see resume" otherwise your application will be considered incomplete, and you will not receive further consideration for this position. The experience you indicate in your responses should also be consistent with the Work History section of this application. If you attach a resume and/or cover letter to your application, it will be reviewed at the education and experience review step. I have read and understand the above instructions regarding supplemental questions.

• Yes
• No

02

How did you first hear about this job opening?

• CareerForce Center
• Community Event/Organization
• Employee Referral
• Facebook
• Glassdoor
• Indeed
• Job Fair
• LinkedIn
• Metro Transit Bus Advertisement
• Twitter
• Website: governmentjobs.com
• Website: metrocouncil.org
• Website: metrotransit.org
• Website: minnesotajobnetwork.com
• Other

03

If you selected 'Other', please describe where you first heard about this job. if you selected 'Employee Referral' please enter the employee's first and last name, ID number (if known), and job title. Type N/A if not applicable.
04

Please select the option below that reflects your education and experience level.

• High school diploma/GED with eight (8) years of experience in an accounting or financial environment including the development and use of financial or budgeting systems
• Associate's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or closely related field with six (6) years of experience in an accounting or financial environment including the development and use of financial or budgeting systems
• Bachelor's degree or higher in accounting, finance, business administration, or closely related field with four (4) years of experience in an accounting or financial environment including the development and use of financial or budgeting systems
• None of the above

05

Please select the areas below with which you have work experience (select all that apply).

• Practical experience using a financial system like Peoplesoft
• Experience preparing and analyzing financial statements, performing budget to actual variance analysis, and preparing reports that are clear and concise
• Experience in accounting practices including problem solving skills to identify and reconcile account balances using reports, queries, spreadsheets and available tools and information
• Experience in promoting an equitable, positive, and respectful work environment that values diversity among all employees
• None of the above

06

If you answered that you have practical experience using a financial system like PeopleSoft in question #5, please describe the system used and where you used it. Type N/A if not applicable.
07

If you answered that you have experience preparing and analyzing financial statements, performing budget to actual variance analysis, and preparing reports that are clear and concise in question #5, please describe that experience, including duties performed, where the experience took place and for how long. Type N/A if not applicable.
08

If you answered that you have experience in accounting practices including problem solving skills to identify and reconcile account balances using reports, queries, spreadsheets and available tools and information in question #5, please describe that experience. Type N/A if not applicable.
09

If you answered that you have experience promoting or working in an equitable, positive, and respectful work environment that values diversity among all employees in question #5, please describe that experience. Type N/A if not applicable.
10

Please select the areas you have intermediate or above skills in:

• MS Word
• MS Excel- spreadsheets
• MS PowerPoint- presentations
• MS Access- database management
• None of the above

11

Do you have experience using Microsoft Excel? How would you describe your proficiency? Please include examples of work performed in Excel. Type N/A if not applicable.
Required Question

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